Another New Title for French Wines
France regains title as world's biggest wine producer
An estimated 46.2 million hectolitres has been produced, according to figures from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine.
If you measured that in bottles it would equate to a gob smacking 6.16 billion bottles (75cl bottles that is...not magnums!) and this quantity has ensured that France has regained its title as the world's biggest wine producer. Overtaking Italy, which had been the world leader in the annual study in both 2012 and 2013. However Italian output fell by 15% this year to 44.4 million hectolitres, putting it in second place, with Spain in third.
France's production is up 10% on 2013. The Burgundy winemakers' union, BIVB, says its production levels this year were back to normal after two disappointing harvests. Both French and German wines have befitted from this year's weather, while areas in eastern Europe have suffered, which has effected the vineyards.
Profits in the French wine industry last year were an astonishing €7.8 billion from exports alone - and the 2014 vintage looks promising so far...
